Sure, it can sound romantic, old fashioned, or even chivalrous to meet a potential romantic interest over dinner. But it’s also unoriginal, outdated and flat out boring. Even with so many other options available, women are still hearing the dreaded, “Can I take you to dinner?” more often than we should. It’s basically the worst first date idea ever, and here’s why:
- It’s too much like a job interview. Get ready for the most formal meal of your life. You have to keep your posture in check, mind your manners and be ready to answer about 100 cliché questions in a span of two hours. And if the banter isn’t there, it’s going to be an awfully long meal. Sure, dinner dates offer the opportunity to talk with the other person, but when was the last time you enjoyed watching someone talk with a mouth full of food?
- You never know what to wear. You know what to wear if we’re going for a hike, if you’re going to a movie, or if he’s taking you bowling. But dinner attire can mean many things. Is this a fancy restaurant? Is it casual? Are we sitting outside? Are we eating something messy? Are we going somewhere after? There’s definitely no universal dinner outfit.
- It’s hard to make a quick getaway if you’re not enjoying yourself. Good luck sneaking away before your dinner comes. You can’t really use the excuse that you’re not hungry, and it’s not likely believable that you’re tired when it’s only 7pm. When you go out for dinner, you’d better be prepared to spend a few hours with your date. And if you’re not interested, those hours can seem like a lifetime.
- There’s a chance the food won’t agree with you. There’s nothing like first date food poisoning, an upset stomach, or even just gas. Either way, there’s nothing more embarrassing than the sounds your stomach can make after eating a meal that doesn’t sit well with you.
- It shows zero creativity on his part. There are so many other things you can do! It’s the 21st century – women can take themselves to dinner. If he wants to wow you, this isn’t the way. If this is the best he’s got for a first date when he’s really trying to impress you, imagine what your life with him will be like once you’re over the honeymoon phase.
- You can’t get hands-on. Unless you’re playing footsies under the table, the physical contact has to be kept to a minimum. How do you connect with someone you can’t even touch?
- You can’t order what you want. If you order a salad, you’ll hate it or he’ll think you’re “one of those girls.” If you order a burger, he’ll question if you take care of yourself. You can’t order anything messy, anything that’ll make your breath smell, or anything you need to eat with your hands. There really is no winning.
- You may get food on your face, or in your teeth. This is a very real possibility. And a very real humiliation.
- The bill-paying situation can get awkward. You’re going to dread the moment when the waiter places this on your table. You’ll both stare at it for a while and pretend like it’s not there, but eventually, someone has to pay it. Nobody likes the awkward reach for the wallet or the innocent, “Are you sure?? But most of all, you’ll hate when you offer to take the bill and he lets you. Especially if it’s expensive.
